Warners man arraigned in home-invasion hammer attack

Richard Pitcher ArraignmentRichard F. Pitcher was arraigned before Judge William Walsh on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and criminal possession of a weapon.

Syracuse, NY - A Warners man was arraigned in Onondaga County Court today on charges stemming from a violent home invasion in which a victim was struck in the head with a hammer.

Richard F. Pitcher, 29, of 2791 Brickyard Road, was arraigned before Judge William Walsh on charges of first-degree assault, first-degree burglary and criminal possession of a weapon.

Authorities contend Pitcher and LeVaughn McArthur, 26, of Syracuse, forced their way into Nicole Knowlton's home on McHarrie Street in Baldwinsville April 9. During the incident, a visitor in the home, Michael Wood, was struck in the head with a hammer and critically injured.

Defense lawyer Donald VanStry today argued to Walsh that Pitcher was not responsible for any of the violence that occurred, that it was all committed by McArthur. McArthur's lawyer made the same argument on his client's behalf - blaming Pitcher for all the violence - in court Monday.

Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle said the grand jury indicted Pitcher as the alleged hammer assailant. She said witnesses saw McArthur stomp on Wood's head after the victim was struck with the hammer and fell to the floor.

Walsh rejected both defense lawyers' arguments in ordering bail to remain at $100,000 cash or $200,000 bond for each defendant.

McGunnigle said no one saw who struck Wood with the hammer. But she noted she hopes his condition has improved enough that he may be able to talk to officials this week about what happened.

VanStry said Pitcher contends he saw McArthur strike Wood with the hammer. Pitcher then grabbed the hammer away from McArthur to prevent him from injuring anyone else and that's when witnesses may have seen Pitcher standing over the victim with the weapon in his hand, the lawyer said.

McGunnigle said it was Pitcher who went looking for a baseball bat and came back to the house with a hammer.

VanStry said Pitcher is the father of Knowlton's children. But the lawyer declined to say why Pitcher went to the Knowlton residence with McArthur the night of the incident.